07/10/14 – Reminder about Changes in Football Preseason Practice Rules

July 10, 2014 2014-2015 News Releases

The changes that were made by the delegates at the 2013 Annual Meeting of schools have been given final approval in the last few days, and are therefore in effect immediately for the 2014 football preseason.

The preseason has been restructured as follows:

• During the period beginning from July 10 through July 31, member schools may participate in non-contact simulations (i.e. 7 on 7) and such participation does not count against scrimmage limitations provided that the first practice in full pads has not been conducted.
• The school issued helmet may be used during these activities, but no other equipment included in NFHS Rule 1-5 may be issued prior to the dates detailed in subsection (a)(2) of this section. The KHSAA catastrophic insurance is not in effect for these simulations if other schools are involved;

Preseason and during season practice in football shall be as follows:

• The first legal organized practice wearing a helmet only shall be no earlier than July 22. Voluntary activity may be conducted between July 10 and July 21, and may include no football gear other than the helmet.
• The first three (3) days of organized practice shall be in helmets only and the next three (3) days shall be in helmets and shoulder pads for acclimatization and acclimation.
• For the three practice days in shoulder pads and helmets, there can be no contact with other players, only with sleds and dummies
• Provided such activity is conducted and supervised by coaches meeting all qualifications of Bylaw 25, these practice sessions shall be covered by KHSAA Catastrophic insurance;
• The remainder of the gear specified in NFHS Rule 1-5 can be issued and practice in pads can begin no earlier than August 1 or the week day following the completion of the required three (3) days of practice in helmets and shoulder pads if such date is after August 1. This is for all schools regardless of when school begins.
• Any practice period on or after August 1 where any equipment other than the helmet and shoulder pads are worn shall be referred to as contact practice, and shall adhere to the following restrictions:
• After contact practice has begun (any practice where more than a helmet and shoulder pads are worn), a non-contact simulation (7 on 7) may not be held;
• After contact practice has begun and prior to the first day of classes for the students, a school shall not conduct multiple on-field practice sessions in pads (e.g., two-a-days or three-a-days) on consecutive days (e.g., two-one-two-one format)
• After each contact practice, there shall be a three-hour break. During this break, there can be no gear worn, and no activity that in any way simulates football or football drills. This restriction is in place regardless of where the practice occurs including camps, home practices, or other workout areas. This period is solely for rest/recovery
• The total practice time on any day where two contact practices are conducted shall not exceed five (5) hours, with no single contact practice exceeding three (3) hours. The total practice time on any day where only one contact practice is conducted shall not exceed three (3) hours. Meetings, film study, water breaks, rest breaks and injury treatment shall not count against the five hour limits. Weight training, voluntary conditioning and teaching period/walk through simulations without equipment shall not count against the five hour limit provided the three-hour break required for cool down is conducted prior to the additional activity following the contact practice
• After the opening day of the school year, a school shall not conduct multiple on-field practice sessions in pads (e.g., two-a-days or three-a-days) regardless of the school schedule.
• All schools shall upon request, submit any required documentation to verify the proper execution of the practice regulations, including scrimmage, contact, and Heat/Humidity Measurement and Compliance Programs.

At this point in time, there are not specific limitations regarding minutes or hours of contact practice per week,  but those types of restrictions remain under rules. Coaches are reminded that it is critical to adhere to all guidelines for practice to help minimize risk for the student athletes.

Further information regarding revised regulations for offseason work following the 2014 season is being finalized and will be distributed upon completion. Best of luck to all teams in preparation for the 2014 season.

– KHSAA –

The KHSAA staff routinely publishes blog posts to better communicate with its various constituencies and the public. For a list of those blogs, go to http://khsaa.org/news-stats-pubs/sports-blogs/